Apparatus for rolling axles and the like.



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G. E. WALKER &'A. PEAGOCK.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 25, 1904.

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APPARATUS POR ROLLING AXLBS AND THB LIKE.

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No. 805,391. PATENTED NOV. 21, 1905. G. E. WALKER PE GK.

. APPARATUS POR ROLLIN LES D THE LIKE.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIOE.

APPARATUS FOR FlOLLlNC-` AXLES AND THE LIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 21, 1905.

Application filed August 25, 1904. Serial No. 222,152.

To all whom it may con/cern;-

Be it known that we, GEORGE EDWIN WALKER and ABRAHAM PEAoooK, subjects of the King of Great Britain, residing at Scunthorpe, in the county of Lincoln, England, have invented new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Rolling' Axles and the Like, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the rolling or forming of cylindrical and the like metal objects out of heated bars or blooms by subjecting such while in a heated state to the concerted action of special rolls suitably housed and driven by any convenient source of power.

The object of our invention is to produce a simple and eiicient machine or apparatus which is specially applicable for rolling axles or similar bars having varying diameters in and common to the same.

To this end our said machine or apparatus comprises, essentially, three .duplicate rolls, which by appropriate housings or framework are fixed or supported in bearings horizontally and parallel with each other, and between which rolls the hot steel or iron bar or bloom is placed-to be operated upon. The rolls aforesaid revolve under pressure until the -required diameters and contour of the axle or the like are obtained, the rolls being provided with adjustable collars for use in connection with the formation 0f the varying diameters. The heated bar or bloom is placed lengthwise or in the direction of the length of the rolls for the latter to act thereon.

In order that our said invention may be more readily understood, we will proceed to describe the same in reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a sideelevation; Fig. 2, atransverse section of the rolls, taken on the line 2 2; Fig. 3, a transverse section through the rolls and adjustable collars on the line 3 3, all of apparatus embodying our invention. Fig. 4: is a View of finished axle as it leaves the rolls ready for having the surplus metal trimmed or cut off at the ends.

A, A', and A2 are the duplicate rolls. By the word duplicate we mean that the rolls are all of the same configuration or contour, each roll being slightly raised or swollen circumferentially at the center B-that is to say, at the cross-center line of each roll, which cross-center line is at B. The raised or swollen portion vof the roll is at the maximum, and

at each side of such cross-center line gradually falls or reduces to the minimum, which minimum is the same as the diameter of the rolls at the parts nearest to the journals C. Coacting with and arranged upon the rolls are adjustable collars D, which on their inside peripheries are provided with projections E', adapted to lit and move in appropriate grooves F, formed upon and of a sufficient length at the outside or journal ends of each roll. The number of such projections and corresponding grooves may vary; but we prefer to use four of each, which we consider is the best means of effecting the working unison or connection of the collars with the rolls, while at the same time allowing for the ready adjustability of the collarsupon the rolls. This adjustability is brought about by the projections and grooves aforesaid, and rods G, having right and left hand screw-threads formed thereon, and provided with handwheels H, through which the rods G can be putinto operation. These rods G pass through lugs J, acting as fingers, which are hollow, so as to embrace a convenient portion of the collars suflicient to be in contact therewith for adjustment purposes, and yet allow the collars to freely turn with the revolution of the rolls. The rods G pass through these lugs at the lower ends of same, which are screwed or threaded to coact with the threads on the rods which are supported in position upon the housings or framework E by nuts K, adapted to allow the rods to turn or revolve when operated by hand-wheels H, but not to move longitudinally. Hence the action is that the collars D are moved upon the rods either to the right or left, as required, and to a nicety. This arrangement applies to each roll.

In Fig. l of the drawings we have shown means whereby the collars may be adjusted simultaneously on the two lower rolls, and they may be adjusted separately on the upper roll; but any usual means of adjustment of the collars may be used, provided that it is so arranged as not to interfere with the rise and fall of the rolls in their bearings.

When it is deemed preferable, the adjustment of the collarsl through the intervention of mechanism may be dispensed with, and in lieu thereof the relative positions of the collars may be effected by hand.

The top roll A is journaled in adjustable IOO bearings L, fitted in and carried by the housings or framework E. These bearings L are capable of being raised and lowered in their housings and of receiving pressure, which is transmitted to the roll. In the drawings hydraulic means for applying` pressure to the rolls is shown; but of course any ordinary means of applying pressure may be used. In the drawings (see Fig. l thereof) we have shown the application of hydraulic power which we prefer. In this case the bearings L of the top roll A are joined rigidly or are pivotally connected to the rods or plungers M of rams Y, superposed in the housings or framework E, and each connected to one common source of supply, through which the pressure upon the bearings and to the roll is distributed uniformly, this being effected by the branch pipes being connected to and deriving their supply from one main pipe. The bearings of the lower rolls may be stationary. In the case referred to they are so and derive their pressure through the resistance of their housings and foundations and the pressure of the top roll acting thereon during the rolling operation, or we may impart pressure to the lower rolls in a similaimanner and by like means, as in the case of the top roll.

The machine or apparatus is driven by joining up the rolls by coupling' boxes Oto shafts P, which are in turn coupled to shafts carrying wheels or pinions whichgear with an intermediate wheel or pinion, the whole being journaled in a separate framework or housings, and the intermediate pinion or wheel being coupled to a driving-shaft from the engine by which the train of wheels aforesaid derive their motion.

tagon, round, or other bloom orbarvwhile in a heated state until it has sunken or reduced portions toward the center beforewe bring the collars into action, and when we have per.- formed this portion of the work we then put to their proper places the sliding collars, by which means we roll the journals or necks, and so iinish the axle R except for the surplus metal S at the ends, which is cut or trimmed olf independently either by sawing or other machinery or means. In the case Vof the single operation the slidable collars are put nearer the center of the rolls at the commencement of the operation, and as the blank assumes the required form and gets smaller in its diameters it lengthens gradually until the necessary diameters and length are obtained simultaneously, the collars move farther away from the center until they arrive at the desired distance from the center or cross-center of the respective rolls, when the axle is finished, except for the surplus metal at the ends, which is removed, as before stated.

I/Vhat we claim as our invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In an apparatus for rolling axles and the like, a roll provided with a forming ring or collar slidable along the axis of the roll on the forming portion thereof, substantially as described.

2. In an apparatus for rolling axles and the like, a stand of rolls each provided with a plurality of forming rings or collars, said forming-rings being slidable along the axes of the rolls on the forming portions thereof, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE EDVIN WALKER. ABRAHAM PEACOCK. Witnesses:

W. SHEPHARD, F. FAWCETT. 

